Empress Bo

Empress Bo (Chinese: 薄皇后; pinyin: Bò Huánghòu) (personal name unknown) (died 147 BC) was an empress during the Han Dynasty. She was the first wife of Emperor Jing.

Empress Bo was from the family of Empress Dowager Bo, who was probably her paternal grandaunt and betrothed her to her grandson, then-Crown Prince Qi during the reign of her son, Emperor Wen. She carried the title of crown princess during the reign of her father-in-law. Then, when her husband became emperor in 157 BC, she was created empress, but she was not favored by her husband, and she had no sons. It was as a consequence of this that Consort Li's son Liu Rong was made crown prince.

After Grand Empress Dowager Bo died in 155 BC, Empress Bo lost her source of support within the palace. In 151 BC, her husband deposed her. She died four years later.^[1] She was buried in the Pingwang Pavilion, in the eastern part of Chang'an. Although Empress Bo's tale is one of a privileged life and upbringing, it is also a reminder of the vulnerability of women. She is a sad reminder that even though she had ties to a person as powerful and influential as Grand Empress Dowager Bo, she never enjoyed a life of much esteem simply because she could not bear a son.^[2]

Pavilion of Prince Teng

References

1. Lily Xiao Hong Lee, A. D. Stefanowska, Sue Wiles, "Biographical dictionary of Chinese women: antiquity through Sui, 1600 B.C.E.-618 C.E.", 2007
2. Xiao Hong Lee, Lily; et al. Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women: Antiquity Through Sui, 1600 B.C.E.-618 C.E. M.E. Sharpe. Retrieved 1 March 2013.